Happy days ... some of the happy residents of Port Fairy celebrate the town's prestigious international award as most liveable town. Photo: Damian White

The United Nations-endorsed award was placed firmly in the hands of Moyne Shire mayor Jim Doukas, chief executive David Madden and community representative Margaret Watt at a special ceremony in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.

All three made the case for Port Fairy in front of judges in the city of Al Ain, spruiking the picturesque Victorian port, its beaches and bluestone cottages.

The town, formerly called Belfast, took out the liveability prize from second-placed Abbeyleix and third-placed Moynalty Village, both in Ireland.

Each was judged for strategic planning, environmental practices, healthy lifestyle and heritage. Port Fairy was the only Australian contender.

Mr Doukas said the award was a chance to put the town on the world map. "This has been a great opportunity to sell Port Fairy and our region to the world," he said.